The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed
yesterday disclosed that the Federal Government has perfected its plans towards
reintroducing the ‘War against Indiscipline’ (WAI) in Nigeria, however to be
consistent with democratic principles and rule of law.
Mohammed who stated this at a meeting with the Broadcasting
Organisations of Nigeria, BON said the meeting was aimed at acquainting the organization
with the direction of the government on its fight against terrorism, and in
addition, further seek its optimal support noting that though the war against
terrorism gathers momentum, it should not be parochially misconstrued as
military’s exclusive affairs, rather a collective responsibility.
He acknowledged
that terrorism has indeed threatened the peace and progress of the nation,
nevertheless, would with the spirit of oneness be certainly surmounted.
On the government’s strategy, the minister stated that the
government has considered it necessary to initiate attitudinal change programme
aimed at improving the masses psyche for a better and desirable Nigeria. According
to him, a new attitudinal change programme tagged ‘Change Begins With Me’ would
be initiated to ensure that the ‘change’ Nigerians earnestly voted for produces
visible results adding that the concept cannot afford to be reduced to a
campaign propaganda. On this note, he said that the National Orientation Agency
(NOA) would lead its campaign as the agency is effectively domiciled in all the
774 LGAs across the federation adding that it would translate all its messages
in all the local languages to ensure effectiveness.
“We believe that the change we so desire must start with each
and every one of us if it is to endure. The change must also come from within
the heart, rather than being forced,” Mohammed said.
On the issue of individuals’ composition of the organizations
who certainly are profit-oriented and therefore could affect members’ passion
on the course, the minister contended that insecurity particularly the dreaded
terrorism holds everyone to ransom and therefore should be everyone’s priority
adding that businesses can only be transacted in a peaceful environment.
“This war against terror is our war, not the military’s war
alone. No doubt, as its statutory duty, it should take the lead while citizens follow
them determinedly with all our utmost supports”, he said.
Speaking further, he said that another key target of the campaign
apart from the need to take collective responsibility on the fight against
terrorism is to properly educate the citizenry on security consciousness
particularly ability to identify the Improvised Explosives Devises, (IEDs) and
other weapons of the terrorists.
Above all, the minister stated that the campaign would also afford
the citizens the ability to identify the terrorists who he affirmed live among
us. He however spoke angrily against the treasury looters stating that they
fund the insurgent groups from their loots to create chaos in the society. On the complaint of broadcasting installations
which are usually vandalized raised by the organization, the minister promised
to take up the matter with the appropriate quarters specifically the Inspector
General of Police for intervention.
It would be recalled that President Buhari introduced WAI for the first time in Nigeria during his military junta as Head of State with Brig. Gen Tunde Idiagbon as number two man, a government which injected severe fears into the polity with several people jailed to unprecedented number of years before the government was sacked by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida coup. Nevertheless, the military junta reshaped the psyche and modus operandi of Nigerians for the brief moment it lasted.
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